4of 18In this March 7, 2011 file photo, trainers Joe Sanchez, left, Brian Faulkner and Kelly Aldrich, right, work with killer whales Trua, front, Kayla, center, and Nalani during the Believe show in Shamu Stadium at the SeaWorld Orlando theme park in Orlando, Fla. After more than a year of public criticism of its treatment of killer whales, SeaWorld said Friday, Aug. 15, 2015, that it will build new, larger environments at its theme parks and will fund additional research on the animals along with programs to protect ocean health and whales in the wild. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack, FRE

6of 18This fish tank is one of several tanks showcasing exotic fish and marine life at the San Antonio Aquarium.Photo: Tyler White, Staff

7of 18Stingrays are among the aquatic creatures featured at the new San Antonio Aquarium, which opens in December 2014.Photo: Courtesy photo

8of 18Magik Theatre's is staging "The Cat in the Hat" at San Antonio's Empire Theatre March 10-15.Photo: Courtesy photo

9of 18"Elephant and Piggie" runs through April 19 at Magik Theatre in San Antonio.Photo: Courtesy R.C. French

10of 18"Wake Up, Brother Bear" is a performance meant for children under age 5 put on by The Magik Theatre inside the Pearl Studio in San Antonio. It runs through March 28.Photo: Cynthia Esparza, Freelancer

11of 18"Wake Up, Brother Bear" is a performance meant for children under age 5 put on by The Magik Theatre inside the Pearl Studio in San Antonio. It runs through March 28.Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For the San Antonio Express-News

12of 18The Iron Rattler roller coaster is among the thrilling rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, STAFF

13of 18Riders enjoy the 171-foot drop on the Iron Rattler roller coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. The ride travels up to 70 miles per hour.Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, STAFF

14of 18Batman: The Ride, a high-tech four-dimensional coaster, will feature a 120-foot ascent, two free-fall-recalling drops and six free-fly flips. It makes its debut at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio this month.

15of 18SeaWorld San Antonio's Spring Into Night evening entertainment program features the new show "Lumberjack Challenge: Alaska vs. Texas."Photo: TOM REEL, Staff

18of 18Marshall (left) and Carol are the parents of twin Reticulating Giraffes at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. Their offspring are the only living set of twin Reticulating Giraffes in the United States.Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, STAFF

Haven't made your Spring Break plans yet? Consider making the three-hour drive to Alamo City, where many kid-savvy hot spots are touting a slew of special events and new attractions:

SeaWorld San Antonio: The park is extending its hours till 9 p.m. through March 14 to accommodate Spring Break evening entertainment. Spring Into Night features a new show called "Lumberjack Challenge: Alaska vs. Texas," during which two teams compete in log chopping, tree climbing and more. Also expect previews of upcoming shows such as "Elmo Rocks!" and "Shamu's Celebration," along with a nightly fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. SeaWorld's Aquatica waterpark will be open daily through March 15, and on weekends after that. The SeaWorld & Aquatica four-pack Fun Card includes unlimited admission to both parks through Sept. 7 and costs $75 per person, plus tax. Vitals: 10500 SeaWorld, 800-700-7786; seaworldsanantonio.com.

Magik Theatre: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this accessibly priced theater company stages productions of classic and contemporary children's literature. Magik is performing several shows around town this month: The Texas premiere of "Elephant and Piggie," written by the Sesame Street writer and "Knuffle Bunny" author Mo Willems (through April 19 at Magik); "Wake Up, Brother Bear!" for ages 5 and younger (through March 28 at the Pearl); and Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat" (March 10-15 at the Empire Theatre). Tickets are $10-$12 for adults and children ages 2-17, consult website for details. Vitals: 420 S. Alamo, 210-227-2751; magiktheatre.org.

San Antonio Aquarium: The Aquarium, which opened in December, has more than marine animals, with other exhibits of birds and reptiles. There are a host of interactive activities, too, including opportunities to feed stingrays, fish and iguanas, as well as to touch sharks and octopuses. Bonus: Through March 22, mermaids will read stories from noon-1 p.m. daily. General admission is $9.95 ages 2-11 and $14.95 ages 12 and up; buy online and get $2 off each ticket. Food to feed the animals is $20. Vitals: 6320 Bandera, 210-310-3210; sanantonioaquarium.net.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch: As visitors drive around the park's 450-acre expanse safari style, they likely will encounter zebras, African antelopes, deer, rhinos, ostriches, emus, buffalo, camels and more. There also is a "petting barnyard" with goats and other animals, as well as a walk-about area to view parrots, lemurs and monkeys. And the ranch recently expanded its creekside trail by two miles; it's an area beloved by giraffes near the on-site restaurant. Extended hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 8-22. Admission is $19 for ages 12 and older, kids 3-11 are $10. Vitals: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns, 830-438-7400; wildliferanchtexas.com.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Open daily through March 15 and March 18-22, the 60-ride-strong theme park has Spring Break treats for those who can't wait to visit this summer when Batman: The Ride debuts. Besides classics such as SkyScreamer! and Iron Rattler, the floorless, revamped Superman Krypton Coaster celebrates its 15th anniversary on March 11 with late-night ride times for members on one of the world's tallest vertical loops. There's also a new 1,500-foot-high zipline (open to anyone over 40 inches tall), as well as family-friendly shows including "#iPop," featuring top 40 hits, and "Roadhouse Country" with honky-tonk classics. Single tickets start at about $50 if you buy online. Vitals: 17000 Interstate 10 West, 210-697-5050; sixflags.com/fiestatexas.

Jody Schmal has worked for the Houston Chronicle since 2012. She edits the newspaper's travel, food and restaurant stories, and was the paper’s Style Editor until 2014. A Houston native, she graduated from the London College of Fashion in England, and previously worked as the Deputy Editor at Houston magazine.